Shoe-form.



No. 898,137. PATENTED SEPT. s, 1908.

' W. 0. RICHARDSON.

SHOE FORM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1'2. 1907.

Eluvzntoz THE NORRIS PETERS cm, WASHINGTON, 0. c,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- WILLARD O. RICHARDSON, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

SHOE-FORM.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLARD C. RICHARD- SON, of Lynn, in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoe-Forms; and I do declare the following description and the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, sufficient to enable one skilled in the art or science to which it appertains to make and use my said invention.

My invention relates to so called hollow shoe forms and has for its objects, first to provide a form reinforced and stiffened in the upper part of the counter portion above the pivotal point of a hinged form, second to pro vide a means by which the frequent breaking down of the cone portion of the form may be avoided, and third to provide a method of strengthening the form at the ball portion by a substantial adjustable brace, fastened only to the reinforcing section so as to do away with all exterior rivets appearing on the outer surface of the form, and to secure other ad.-

vantages and results some of which may be referred to hereinafter in connection with the description of the various parts.

T o appreciate the objects attained it must be understood that the hollow shoe form is used extensively by traveling shoe salesmen in displaying their line of shoes; and that all shoes within which the forms are placed are themselves made up with stiff counters, which counters are securely fastened to the soles of said shoes so as to render any suport unnecessary by a shoe form at their ower part, or where such support is now generally placed, i. c. at the pivotal point of the form. It will be seen that the support is needed rather at the upper portion of the form above the pivotal point, as attained by the accomplishment of my first object. It must also be understood that the first sign of weakening shown by the hollow shoe form is the breaking down of the cone portion, caused by the unavoidable pressure and frequent knocks received while the form is used in sample shoes. The attainment of my said second object avoids this breaking down. It is also known that in using shoe forms, on the outer portion of which appear rivets fasten- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 12, 1907.

Patented Sept. 8, 1908.

Serial No. 388,131.

ing various supporting appliances thereto, the position of the rivets is evident from the outside by the impression of the rivets made on the u per of the shoe. This naturally mars the i mish and beauty of the shoe and is avoided by attaining my third object.

I attain the objects specified as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1, is a bottom View looking up into the body of the form; Fig. 2, is a side view of the form.

In Fig. 1, A represents the reinforcing spring in the counter portion of my form, securely fastened by the rivets B to the said counter portion above the pivotal point G. In the hinged form the spring A is generally fastened in position before the counter portion is affixed to the form. Said spring A is made of sufficient stiffness to hold the sides of the form constantly in their normal position.

E represents the reinforcing plate which fits snugly into the form as shown, is tightly fastened thereto by some suitable adhesive', and forms a support not only to the cone but also to the shank and walls of the ball portion.

C represents the adjustable brace at the ball portion. This brace is made from material which enables it to be easily bent, yet tempered sufhciently as to exert an outward pressure on the sides of said form. Said brace is fastened to the reinforcing plate E at one end only, by means of the rivet D The opposite end H is roughened and bent so as to engage in any position on the side of the form at which it may be placed. 1 Thus the form may be widened or narrowed at the ball portion as desired, the continual outward pressure of the spring always assuring a snug fit in the shoe within which the form is placed.

F represents the cone of the shoe form.

I represents the outline of the reinforcing plate E where it passes from view in looking up into the bottom of the form.

Having thus describedmy invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a shoe-form, a reinforcing section at the cone-portion, and a transverse brace at the I In testimony whereof I have hereunto ball-portion, one end thereof secured to one signed my name in the presence of two subside of said section and the other end bent scribing witnesses. and bearing against, but unsecured to, the WILLARD C. RICHARDSON.

5 opposite side of said section, whereby the Witnesses: I

brace may be adjusted to narrow or widen C. WV. LOVETT, the form at said ba11-porti0n.

E. C. OANN. 

